Garment carrier and support device

ABSTRACT

A garment carrier and support device is provided for collecting, carrying, supporting, and transporting dry cleaning or other clothing hung on hangers.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

There are no previously filed, nor currently any co-pendingapplications, anywhere in the world.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to an apparatus for supportinghangers and, more particularly, to a device for collecting, carrying,supporting, and transporting garments hung on hangers.

2. Description of the Related Art

In traveling or in simply picking up and dropping off one's drycleaning, it is often necessary to carry hangers laden with clothes toand from the dry cleaner store, airport, train station, or bus terminal.Grasping and holding a number of hangers, particularly where theclothing which they support is heavy or bulky, can be veryuncomfortable, especially for persons having small hands. In addition,the hangers tend to bite into the hand and fingers generatingdiscomfort, thereby compelling the carrier to switch the hangers fromeach hand to the other in order to minimize the discomfort.

Accordingly, a need has arisen for a device adapted for collecting,carrying, supporting, and transporting dry cleaning and other garmentsor clothing hung on hangers in a manner which is quick, easy, andefficient. The development of the garment carrier and support devicefulfills this need.

A search of the prior art did not disclose any patents that readdirectly on the claims of the instant invention; however, the followingreferences were considered related.

The following patents disclose various devices for carrying andsupporting clothes hangers:

U.S. Pat. No. 4,709,954, issued in the name of Beyda et al.;

U.S. Pat. No. 4,153,189, issued in the name of Hughes;

U.S. Pat. No. 5,971,458, issued in the name of Contreras et al.;

U.S. Pat. No. 4,824,156, issued in the name of Greene;

U.S. Pat. No. 5,405,067, issued in the name of Huges;

U.S. Pat. No. 4,029,212, issued in the name of Uadiski;

U.S. Pat. No. 6,003,918, issued in the name of Hulyk;

U.S. Pat. No. 4,278,177, issued in the name of Fahmi;

U.S. Pat. No. 5,833,184, issued in the name of Scola;

U.S. Pat. No. D440,147 S, issued in the name of Rimback;

U.S. Pat. No. 5,957,518, issued in the name of Elliott; and

U.S. Pat. No. 5,620,127, issued in the name of MacKenzie.

Consequently, a need has been felt for a device adapted for collecting,carrying, supporting, and transporting dry cleaning and other garmentsor clothing hung on hangers in a manner which is quick, easy, andefficient.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a deviceadapted for collecting, carrying, and supporting dry cleaning and othergarments or clothing hung on hangers.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a garmentcarrier and support device which allows clothes hung on hangers to bequickly, easily, and efficiently transported to one's vehicle.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a garmentcarrier and support device adapted to allow clothes hung on hangers tohang from a vehicle hook member or a vehicle hand support, therebyallowing for the convenient transport thereof.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a portable,lightweight garment carrier and support device.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a garmentcarrier and support device having a cushioned handle grip.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a garmentcarrier and support device having a rotatable upper curved arm.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide a garmentcarrier and support device having a spherical abutment element adaptedto prevent a plurality of hangers and clothes supported thereby fromdisengaging from the device during the transport thereof to a vehicle.

Briefly described according to one embodiment of the present invention,a garment carrier and support device is disclosed. The garment carrierand support device, hereinafter device, is adapted for collecting,carrying, and supporting clothing hung on hangers. The device comprisesan upper curved arm and a lower curved arm joined by an elongated handlemember.

Elongated handle member is provided with a circular handle gripconstructed of a flexible, shape-memory, cellular foam material. Theupper curved arm extends integrally from an upper end of elongatedhandle member and forms generally a C-shape. The upper curved arm isadapted for positioning over a vehicular hook member or a vehicular handsupport. The lower curved arm extends integrally from a lower end ofelongated handle member and forms generally a C-shape. A distal end oflower curved arm is suitably mounted with a spherical abutment element.The spherical abutment element is constructed of a lightweight materialsuitable so as to produce friction engagement between a hanger hook andspherical abutment element upon contact by hanger hook with sphericalabutment element.

A first alternate embodiment is provided wherein the upper curved arm ofthe device is rotatably mounted to elongated handle member about theupper end thereof. The upper curved arm is adapted to rotate and bereleasably secured in a first position (forward position) and a secondposition (rearward position) about elongated handle member.

A second alternate embodiment is provided wherein the present inventionis fabricated as a tubular, unitary apparatus. The device of the secondalternate embodiment is constructed preferably of a lightweight, tubularflexible material. The device comprises an elongated mid section joinedintegrally by a lower curved leg and an upper curved leg. The midsection defines a curvilinear configuration forming a convex portionprotruding above a concave portion. The mid section includes an upperbight portion and a lower bight portion.

A hook portion extends upward integrally from the upper curved leg. Hookportion is adapted for positioning over the vehicular hook member orvehicular hand support.

The use of the present invention allows dry cleaning and other garmentsor clothing hung on hangers to be collected, carried, supported, andtransported in a manner which is quick, easy, efficient, and convenient.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The advantages and features of the present invention will become betterunderstood with reference to the following more detailed description andclaims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in whichlike elements are identified with like symbols, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a garment carrier and support device,according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the present invention shown hanging froma vehicular hook member, according to the preferred embodiment thereof;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the present invention shown hanging froma vehicular hand support, according to the preferred embodiment thereof;

FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of a first alternate embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the first alternate embodiment takenalong lines V-V of FIG. 4 illustrating the rotatable, releasablysecurable upper curved arm, shown mounted to the inner circumferentialsidewall of elongated handle member;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating garments supported on asupport rod;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view illustrating a second alternate embodimentof the present invention; and

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the second alternate embodiment whichincludes a spherical abutment element.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 1. Detailed Description of theFigures

Referring now to FIGS. 1-3, and 6, a garment carrier and support device10, hereinafter carrier device 10, according to the present invention,is provided for collecting, carrying, and supporting clothing 15 hung onhangers 12. The carrier device 10 comprises an upper curved arm 20 and alower curved arm 30 joined by an elongated handle member 40. The uppercurved arm 20, lower curved arm 30, and elongated handle member 40 areconstructed preferably of a lightweight, tubular flexible material, suchas plastic, plastic polymer, and thermoplastic polymer, e.g. polyvinylchloride (PVC). The upper curved arm 20, lower curved arm 30, andelongated handle member 40 may also be constructed of a solid, flexible,lightweight material defined of any slender cross-sectional shape, e.g.circular, square, hexagonal, or any other polygonal shape. The carrierdevice 10 defines an overall length of approximately four to eighteeninches.

Elongated handle member 40 includes an elongated, circular handle grip44 enveloped circumferentially therearound. Handle grip 44 is attachedto elongated handle member 40 using an adhesive being suitable so as tofixedly secure handle grip 44 to handle member 40. Handle grip 44 isconstructed of a flexible, shape-memory, cellular foam material adaptedto resume its original shape if compressed. Handle grip 44 provides userwith a comfortable grip during use of the present invention.

The upper curved arm 20 extends integrally from an upper end 42 ofelongated handle member 40 and forms generally a C-shape. The uppercurved arm 20 is adapted for positioning over a vehicular hook member 16or a vehicular hand support 17. More specifically, when positioningupper curved arm 20 over a vehicular hand support 17, the proximal end22 of upper curved arm 20 is inserted through the void 17 a of vehicularhand support 17, and a hand support contact surface 24 of upper curvedarm 20 is engaged against an interior upper surface 17 b of hand support17. The hand support contact surface 24 of upper curved arm 20 isdefined as the arcuate or concave-shaped lower surface 24 a portionthereof.

The lower curved arm 30 extends integrally from a lower end 41 ofelongated handle member 40 and forms generally a C-shape. A distal end32 of lower curved arm 30 is suitably mounted with a spherical abutmentelement 35. The spherical abutment element 35 is constructed of alightweight material suitable so as to produce friction engagementbetween a hanger hook 13 and spherical abutment element 35 upon contactby hanger hook 13 with spherical abutment element 35. It is envisionedthat spherical abutment element 35 is constructed of a soft, rubbermaterial. Spherical abutment element 35 imparts important functionalutility to the present invention as will be described hereinbelow.

In using the carrier device 10, the handle grip 44 is gripped using adesired hand, and spherical abutment element 35 is passed through anumber of clothes hanger hooks 13 of hangers 12 wherein each hanger 12is supporting garments 15, such as dry cleaning, hung on a support rod18 or similar support structure configured for supporting a number ofgarments 15 or dry cleaning. After passing distal end 32 of lower curvedarm 30 through selected clothes hanger hooks 13, the carrier device 10is raised so as to lift hangers 12 from the support rod 18, therebyallowing the clothes 15 to be readily transported, and handle member 40is held generally at a horizontal orientation allowing clothes 15 todepend downwardly from lower curved arm 30 via gravitational pull.Spherical abutment element 35 acts as a stop against which the hooks 13of hangers 12 engage, thereby retaining the hangers 12 and clothes 15supported thereby along the lower curved arm 30 of carrier device 10 andpreventing slippage therefrom. The upper curved arm 20 is thenpositioned over a vehicular hook member 16 or a vehicular hand support17, thereby allowing the clothes 15 to be hung in a convenient manner,ready for transport without further adjustment.

Referring now to FIGS. 4 and 5, in accordance with an alternateembodiment, upper curved arm 20 of carrier device 10 is rotatablymounted to elongated handle member 40 about the upper end 42 thereof.Upper curved arm 20 is adapted to rotate and be releasably secured in afirst position (forward position) and a second position (rearwardposition) about elongated handle member 40. The upper curved arm 20 isprovided with a first tab 26 opposing a second tab 27, each tab 26 and27 is formed integral to the lower end 23 of upper curved arm 20. Eachtab 26 and 27 protrudes perpendicular with respect to the lower end 23of upper curved arm 20. The lower end 23 of upper curved arm 20 isadapted to be inserted inside the open upper end 42 of elongated handlemember 40. The first tab 26 and second tab 27 are adapted to mateinterchangeably with a first slot 46 and a second slot 47, defined alongthe inner circumferential sidewall of elongated handle member 40,proximal an upper end 42 thereof. Engagement by first tab 26 with firstslot 46 and second tab 27 with second slot 47, or first tab 26 withsecond slot 47 and second tab 27 with first slot 46 allows upper curvedarm 20 to be releasably secured about elongated handle member 40 via afriction-fit connection. In order to release upper curved arm 20 fromits friction-fit connection, upper curved arm 20 is rotated clockwise orcounterclockwise using a degree of force necessary to facilitate releaseof first and second tab 26, 27 from a corresponding first and secondslot 46, 47.

Referring now to FIG. 7, in accordance with another alternateembodiment, garment carrier and support device 10 a is fabricated as atubular, unitary apparatus 100 capable of injection molding and having agenerally round cross-section. The garment carrier and support device 10a is constructed preferably of a lightweight, tubular flexible material,such as plastic, plastic polymer, and thermoplastic polymer Unitaryapparatus 100 comprises an elongated mid section 102 joined integrallyby a lower curved leg 106 and an upper curved leg 110. Mid section 102defines a curvilinear configuration forming a convex portion 102 aprotruding above a concave portion 102 b. Mid section 102 includes anupper bight portion 103 and a lower bight portion 104, wherein upperbight portion 103 functions as a palm rest 105.

Upper curved leg 110 defines a shorter length than a length defininglower curved leg 106. Upper curved leg 110 defines a generally crispateexternal circumferential sidewall 112 complementary to upper bightportion 103. Crispate external circumferential sidewall 112 provides afinger-gripping surface area 113.

A hook portion 120 extends upward integrally from the upper curved leg110. Hook portion 120 is adapted for positioning over the vehicular hookmember 16 or vehicular hand support 17.

Lower curved leg 106 may be provided with a spherical abutment element35 a suitably mounted or formed integral to a distal end 107 thereof, asshown in FIG. 8.

In using the garment carrier and support device 10 a, the palm (notshown) of user is engaged against upper bight portion 103 of mid section102 while simultaneously gripping the finger-gripping surface area 113using the fingers (not shown), and distal end 107 of lower curved leg106 is passed through a number of clothes hanger hooks 13 of hangers 12supporting clothes 15 hung on a support rod 18 or similar supportstructure. After passing distal end 107 of lower curved leg 106 orspherical abutment element 35 a through selected clothes hanger hooks13, the carrier device 10 a is raised so as to lift hangers 12 from thesupport rod 18, thereby allowing the clothes 15 to be readilytransported, and elongated mid section 102 is held generally at ahorizontal orientation allowing clothes 15 to depend downwardly fromlower curved leg 106 via gravitational pull. The hangers 12 and clothing15 supported thereby are retained along lower curved leg 106. The uppercurved leg 110 is then positioned over a vehicular hook member 16 or avehicular hand support 17, thereby allowing the clothes 15 to be hung ina convenient manner, ready for transport without further adjustment.

2. Operation of the Preferred Embodiment

To use the present invention, user grips handle grip 44 in a desiredhand, and passes spherical abutment element 35 through a number ofclothes hanger hooks 13 of hangers 12 supporting clothes 15 on a supportrod 18. After passing spherical abutment element 35 through selectedclothes hanger hooks 13, user raises the carrier device 10 to lifthangers 12 from the support rod 18, thereby allowing the clothes 15 tobe readily transported. User next positions the upper curved arm 20 overa vehicular hook member 16 or a vehicular hand support 17, therebyallowing the clothes 15 to be hung in a convenient manner, ready fortransport without further adjustment.

The use of the present invention allows dry cleaning and other garmentsor clothing hung on hangers to be collected, carried, supported, andtransported in a manner which is quick, easy, efficient, and convenient.

Therefore, the foregoing description is included to illustrate theoperation of the preferred embodiment and is not meant to limit thescope of the invention. As one can envision, an individual skilled inthe relevant art, in conjunction with the present teachings, would becapable of incorporating many minor modifications that are anticipatedwithin this disclosure. The foregoing descriptions of specificembodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes ofillustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive orto limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed, and obviouslymany modifications and variations are possible in light of the aboveteaching. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to bestexplain the principles of the invention and its practical application,to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize theinvention and various embodiments with various modifications as aresuited to the particular use contemplated. It is intended that the scopeof the invention be defined by the Claims appended hereto and theirequivalents. Therefore, the scope of the invention is to be broadlylimited only by the following Claims.

1. A garment carrier and support device comprising: an upper curved armand a lower curved arm, said upper curved arm and said lower curved armare joined by an elongated handle member; and a spherical abutmentelement, said spherical abutment element is suitably mounted to saidlower curved arm.
 2. The garment carrier and support device of claim 1,wherein said upper curved arm, said lower curved arm, and said elongatedhandle member are constructed of a lightweight, flexible material. 3.The garment carrier and support device of claim 1, wherein saidelongated handle member includes an elongated, circular handle gripenveloped circumferentially therearound.
 4. The garment carrier andsupport device of claim 3, wherein said handle grip is attached to saidelongated handle member using an adhesive being suitable so as tofixedly secure said handle grip to said elongated handle member.
 5. Thegarment carrier and support device of claim 4, wherein said handle gripis constructed of a flexible, shape-memory, cellular foam material. 6.The garment carrier and support device of claim 1, wherein said uppercurved arm extends integrally from an upper end of said elongated handlemember and forms generally a C-shape, said upper curved arm is adaptedfor positioning over a vehicular hook member or a vehicular handsupport.
 7. The garment carrier and support device of claim 1, whereinsaid lower curved arm extends integrally from a lower end of saidelongated handle member and forms generally a C-shape, said lower curvedarm having a distal end suitably mounted with said spherical abutmentelement, said spherical abutment element is constructed of a lightweightmaterial suitable so as to produce friction engagement between a hangerhook and said spherical abutment element upon contact by the hanger hookwith said spherical abutment element, said spherical abutment element isadapted to function as a stop against which a plurality of hanger hooksengage, thereby retaining a hangers and a clothes supported therebyalong said lower curved arm.
 8. The garment carrier and support deviceof claim 7, wherein said spherical abutment element is constructed of asoft, rubber material.
 9. A garment carrier and support devicecomprising: a lower curved arm integrally joined to an elongated handlemember about a lower end of said elongated handle member; an uppercurved arm rotatably mounted to said elongated handle member about anopen upper end of said elongated handle member; and a spherical abutmentelement, said spherical abutment element is suitably mounted to saidlower curved arm.
 10. The garment carrier and support device of claim 9,wherein said upper curved arm, said lower curved arm, and said elongatedhandle member are constructed of a lightweight, flexible tubularmaterial.
 11. The garment carrier and support device of claim 9, whereinsaid elongated handle member includes an elongated, circular handle gripenveloped circumferentially therearound.
 12. The garment carrier andsupport device of claim 9, wherein said upper curved arm is adapted torotate and be releasably secured in a first position and a secondposition about said elongated handle member.
 13. The garment carrier andsupport device of claim 12, wherein said upper curved arm includes afirst tab opposing a second tab, wherein said first tab and said secondtab are each formed integral to a lower end of said upper curved arm,said first tab and said second tab protrude perpendicular with respectto said lower end of said upper curved arm.
 14. The garment carrier andsupport device of claim 13, wherein said lower end of said upper curvedarm is adapted for insertion into said open upper end of said elongatedhandle member, said first tab and said second tab are adapted to mateinterchangeably with a first slot and a second slot, said first slot andsaid second slot are defined along an inner circumferential sidewall ofsaid elongated handle member, proximal said open upper end thereof,wherein engagement by said first tab with said first slot and engagementby said second tab with said second slot, or engagement by said firsttab with said second slot and engagement by said second tab with saidfirst slot allows said upper curved arm to be releasably secured aboutsaid elongated handle member via a friction-fit connection.
 15. Agarment carrier and support device comprising: a tubular, unitaryapparatus having a generally round cross-section, said unitary apparatuscomprises an elongated mid section joined integrally by a lower curvedleg and an upper curved leg, said mid section defines a curvilinearconfiguration forming a convex portion protruding above a concaveportion.
 16. The garment carrier and support device of claim 15, whereinsaid mid section includes an upper bight portion and a lower bightportion, wherein said upper bight portion functions as a palm rest. 17.The garment carrier and support device of claim 15, wherein said uppercurved leg defines a shorter length than a length defining said lowercurved leg, said upper curved leg further defines a generally crispateexternal circumferential sidewall complementary to said upper bightportion, said crispate external circumferential sidewall provides afinger-gripping surface area.
 18. The garment carrier and support deviceof claim 17, wherein said upper curved leg includes a hook portionextending upward integrally therefrom, said hook portion is adapted forpositioning over a vehicular hook member or a vehicular hand support.19. The garment carrier and support device of claim 15, wherein saidlower curved leg includes a spherical abutment element suitably mountedor formed integral to a distal end thereof.
 20. The garment carrier andsupport device of claim 15, wherein said tubular unitary apparatus isconstructed of a lightweight, flexible material.